DFID advises federal government to invest in human capital

The UK Department for International Development (DFID), has advised Nigeria government to invest in its human capital, if it must attain it greatness.

Debbie Palmer, Head of DFID Nigeria, gave the advice in his remark at the opening ceremony of an induction of new and returning governors, organised by the NGF Secretariat on Monday in Abuja.

Palmer said that the Nigeria population had always being a hug asset and path to its greatness.

“For Nigeria to attain its greatness, to take its place in the comity of nation in 2050 we will need to turn things around. We will need to invest in people who will drive the economy of the country in the future.

“ She said that nourishing, educating and given the young population jobs including the children that would be born in next few days, weeks and months were what determine the future of the country.

“So there is a lot to do and it required urgent works.’’

Palmer said that Nigeria economic growth could be achieved by harnessing the potential or her population and that requires hard infrastructure like roads and power.

“It also requires a great deal of soft infrastructure, what we may call human capital.’’

Palmer recalled that in the current released human capital index Nigeria was on number 152 out of 157 countries, as well as the highest number of children out of school in the world.

“In order for the country to move to greatness we need nourished, educated young people who can take up work to create jobs for themselves, the families, societies and the nation.

“Presently Nigeria spends less on health proportionally than South Sudan, less than any country in the world.

She said that the UK government was determined to work with Nigeria government to eradicate poverty and promote prosperity.

“Nigeria is our second investment globally. We gave nearly half of a billion pounds to this country last year. And we will continue to work with you in partnership

Palmer advised the governors elect to deliver on their campaign promises now that elections were over.

Mr Paulin Basinga, Director, Nigeria Country Office, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, said that one of the biggest achievement of NGF was the eradication of polio.

Basinga said that by December Nigeria would have spent five years without any record of polio virus.

“If all goes well, early next year Nigeria will be polio free and the world will be declared polio free and that will be another breakthrough the eradication of small pox in 1970s.’’

He charged the governors to ensure that all Local Governments Chairmen were involved in the campaign against polio to get the job done.

He expressed the redness of the foundation to work with the governors in moving Nigeria states forward.

Dr Mairo Mandara, Senior Fellow, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, said that the key to reduce malnutrition and taking off Nigeria from number children suffering from it was ensuring that both the treatment and prevention were included and funded in states primary healthcare system.

Mandara advised state governors to ensure that their states health plan addressed their health needs.

“As you move the next four years improving the lives of your citizens, it is important to know that young people are about 65 per cent of Nigeria population.

“Your legacies and future of your state lies in the development of lives of young peoples through strategic and sustainable solutions including promoting girls education.

She said that while the challenges were many, it was important for the governors to look at solutions that are cross cutting and addressing many challenges at the same times.

Mandara said that for over five years the CIFF had been supporting Nigeria government in addressing cases of severe acute malnutrition with over 50 million dollars.

She said that the foundation was currently in the last six months supporting with addition three million dollar to buy ready to use syraphitic drug for drugs to treat children with malnutrition.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Wednesday said that its members should not be held responsible if there is any disruption in the university system, as the Federal Government had not shown commitment to carrying out the 2019 Memorandum of Action.

Kaduna State members-elect of the House of Representatives on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday reaffirmed their support for Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos) for the office of Speaker of the 9th Assembly.